Annual catalog of the Walter Spry Piano School, 1906-1907

780.71077311
W171a

Annual Catalog of the Walter Spry-
Piano School 1906-1907. [Chicago]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
LIBRARY FRIENDS

780.71077311
W171a

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Piano5diool

Chicago

IIUNOIS HiSTORiCAt SURVEY,

ANNUAL CATALOG

OF

The Walter Spry
Piano School

1906 — 1907

FACULTY

Piano

WALTER SPRY

HAROLD HENRY MARIAN DANA
W1LMOT LEMONT

Harmony, Counterpoint, Musical Analysis
and History

ROSSETTER G. COLE

Music Study Class

WALTER SPRY

WALTER SPRY

DIRECTOR

and
HEAD OF PIANO DEPARTMENT

D

ui

The Walter Spry Piano School

Pref

ace.

HE gratifying success which has attended
this institution proves in what measure a

.thoroughly artistic school planned on the
best educational principles is appreciated. The per-
sonnel of the faculty represents the best teachers in
their respective departments to be found. The re-
sults obtained are shown by the work done in the
pupils' recitals, sample programs of which are given
place in the back part of this catalog. This
school does not advertise extensively, but prefers to
build up its clientele by showing the eminent qualities
of the teachers as exemplified in the work of the
pupils themselves.

The school has a comfortable and spa-

iOnratinn .

cious suite or rooms in the rine Arts

Building, Chicago's leading studio building, and one
of the finest structures of its kind in the world. It is
centrally located in the best business portion of the city,
within a block of all the important transportation lines,

l

and managed in a thoroughly reliable manner, so
that parents may feel safe in sending their children to
this building.

Chicago is already one of the three great-
est musical centres of this country, and it
ranks with Berlin, Paris or London in the quality of
instruction to be obtained and the high grade of
the concerts to be heard. The Theodore Thomas
Orchestral concerts, comprising twenty-eight pro-
grams each season, are not surpassed by any, and are
superior to most, even of those in Europe, because
of the catholicity of the programs and the finish with
which they are given. Other organizations, like the
Apollo Club and the Mendelssohn Club, give the
opportunity to hear many of the great choral works.
Recitals are so abundant that students are kept busy
at least two or three times a week in attending to this
important part of their education.

The Walter Spry Piano School aims to provide
for the serious student a course of instruction that
will equal any to be found in the best and largest
institutions, and at prices so reasonable as to be within

the reach of all. The students will have opportu-
nity, when they are prepared, to appear in recitals.
Members of the faculty also appear in recitals and
concerts during the regular musical season. Mr.
Spry's annual recital is one of the musical events of
the Chicago season.

SCHOLARSHIPS.

The wholesale distribution of free or partial schol-
arships is unjust, and only in exceptional cases does
this school lend its aid to students in this manner.
A limited number of partial scholarships will be
awarded the first week in September to those who
apply and pass the examination. Those pupils who
are thus favored must show exceptional talent and
prove their inability to pay the catalog tuition. The
application must be made during the month of Au-
gust, and a special time for examination will be set
for each pupil early in September before the fall

term commences.

-r . Lessons will be given by the assistant

uJutttfltt

at itdtn? teachers in the homes of the pupils at a

slightly advanced rate of tuition.

3

A summer school is held especially for
teachers and advanced students doing
normal work. Besides private lessons in piano, there
is included a thorough course of class instruction in
harmony, musical analysis, history and interpre-
tation. The course begins the first week of July
and continues for five weeks.

COURSE OF STUDY.

Great advancement has been made in the
methods of instruction in the past few
years, and this school stands for that which is both
conservative and progressive. It is possible to make
piano study interesting both to those of great and
small talent; the musical mentality and individuality
of each is developed and trained. It is impossible to
state just how long our course will take to complete,
although a general plan will permit the student to
judge approximately if he estimates his talent and
industry, as to how long it will be before acquiring
a diploma. Be it said that the standard is very
high of this school, and that a diploma is not awarded

4

until the student is able to give a meritorious public
performance, and by strict examination prove to be
a well rounded musician.

THE FACULTY.

Piano Department.

Mr. Walter Sprp, head of the piano department
and director of the school, is known throughout this
country as one of the most advanced music-thinkers
and successful piano-teachers of the present day. A
pianist of eminent qualities, he has been before the
public for the past ten years, always appealing to the
public by his earnest and genial interpretation of the
best classical and modern musical literature. He
has made a profound study of the best methods of
technic; and being naturally endowed with interpre-
tative talent of a high order, he is an ideal teacher
for the ambitious American student. Pupils from all
parts of the United States, as well as Chicago profes-
sional pianists, seek his instruction, and all find in him
a master who through devotion to his art is an inspira-
tion to their best efforts.

5

Mr. Harold Henry,
who achieved instanta-
neous success at his
Chicago debut January
30, 1906, under the
auspices of the school,
is a recent addition to
the faculty. The crit-
ics were unanimous in
their praise of his piano
playing, and spoke in
the highest terms of his

finished technic and fine musical qualities. He has a very
large repertoire and is a teacher of wide experience and
exceptional ability. Mr. Henry has the highest recom-
mendations from his masters: Preyer (Leschetizky
method), Jedliczka (Berlin) and Moszkowski (Paris).

Regarding Harold Henry's first appearance in
Chicago the following notices are taken from the
daily press:

A concert given in Music Hall Tuesday evening served to
introduce to the Chicago public Harold Henry, a young pianist,
who has returned recently from study in Europe. He was heard in
eight selections ranging from Liszt, Tschaikowsky and Chopin to
Moszkowski and Poldini. The impression made was a decidedly

favorable one. The young player has learned much and learned
it well. He has clean, sure, firm fingers; his playing is marked by
technical clarity and neatness, by good, sound understanding and
appreciation of what is musically and artistically best, and by a nice
sense for tone, beauty and effective nuance, as well as for correct
shading, phrasing and expression. His appearance at the piano and
his manner on the platform are attractive because unaffected, graceful
and modest, and his entire work shows him a young pianist of
promising powers — one who is musical, has taste, is not devoid of
emotion, and who, as public pianist as well as pedagogue, should
make a desirable place for himself. He was at his best last evening
in the Tschaikowsky "Theme and Variations" and in Moszkowski's
"Autumn" and "Pensees Fugitivs." — Chicago Tribune.

Some little curiosity was aroused among Chicago musicians by
the announcement of the first appearance of Harold Henry, the
pianist, in Music Hall, and the audience last night was of generous
proportions. Mr. Henry, who is a recent addition to the teaching
force of the Walter Spry Piano School, has considerable native
ability as a foundation, on which he has built a good superstructure
of careful culture and training. He is a Kansas product, but has
pursued his studies under some of the renowned teachers of Europe,
among them being Dr. Ernst Jedliczka and Moszkowski, under the
latter of which he made a special study of Moszkowski's compo-
sitions. He was heard to very good advantage in his first recital in
several Moszkowski and Liszt numbers, and had one Chopin and
one Tschaikowsky number, also. The work of the pianist may be
best described as scholarly. He is dignified in his methods and
plays with style and finish. In the "Petrarch Sonnet," by Liszt, and
in the concert study by Poldini, he gave excellent examples of his
form and style, and demonstrated that he is a player to be reckoned
with by the large and growing circle of pianists of merit and ability
in this city. —Chicago Chronicle.

Mr. Henry played numbers from Moszkowski, Liszt, Chopin,
Tschaikowsky and Poldini, with a fine understanding for the individu-
ality of each master, and with beautiful technical finish. He will, in
any case, win for himself an important place among the pianists of
Chicago, and the Walter Spry Piano School has every reason to be
congratulated. — Deutsche Post (Translation}.

Mr. Henry is a performer of excellent abilities, possessing a tech-
nic which enables him to produce a fine tonal color of exceptional
clarity, and his playing of the Liszt, Moszkowski, Chopin and
Tschaikowsky numbers exhibited highly developed talent and a
pleasing interpretation of the compositions. — Chicago Journal.

Miss Marian Dana
will continue to have
charge of the younger
pupils of the intermedi-
ate grades, and as such
has proven a most valu-
able member of the fac-
ulty. She has the abil-
ity of imparting her
knowledge in a very

attractive manner to the young student, and the ease
and grace with which the pupils play prove the reliability
of her method. Miss Dana is also a concert- pianist of
great brilliancy and charm, and has a fine reputation as
an accompanist.

Wilmoi Lemont, who
has charge of the Ele-
mentary Department of
the school, was born at
Fredericton, N. B.,
Canada. He comes of
a very musical family,
and started piano in-
struction as a child,
keeping up his musical
studies while pursuing his general education. When
he decided to make music his life work, he went
to Boston, where he attended the Faelten Pianoforte
School for four years, and the New England Conser-
vatory for three years, being graduated from both of
these well known institutions.

While attending the Faelten Pianoforte School he
made a special study of children's instruction, and
acted as one of the assistant teachers. During his
course there he studied Repertory with Mr. Carl
Faelten, the Director; Harmony, Analysis, Theory,
Sight Playing and Transposition with Mr. Reinhold

Faelten; Technic and Teaching of Children with
Mrs. Reinhold Faelten (Marie Dewing); Musical
History and Piano Ensemble with Mr. Benjamin
Guayenberger, and Ensemble with Stringed Instru-
ments with Mr. William Howard.

Mr. Lemont is a gentleman of culture and excel-
lent personal qualities, and is a most enthusiastic
teacher. He is a great addition to the musical pro-
fession in Chicago, for like the other members of the
School he is an educator with the highest ideals.

10

Rossetler G. Cole is
recognized as one of the
ablest and best equipped
teachers of musical the-
ory in this country. His
broad university train-
ing (he is a graduate
of the University of
Michigan), his extend-
ed study abroad, his
long experience in college music work and his practical
experience as a composer in nearly all the musical forms,
both large and small, give to his work as a teacher not
only high character and quality, but also practical value.
Mr. Cole occupies a prominent place among Amer-
ican composers, his published works including over
fifty compositions for voice, piano, organ, chorus and
orchestra. Among his larger works are a very suc-
cessful cantata, "The Passing of Summer," for solos,
chorus and orchestra (published by Novello & Co.,
London), and two melodramas, "Hiawatha's Wooing "
(A. P. Schmidt) and " King Robert of Sicily" (G.
Schirmer), for reader and piano, the latter just issued.
II

As a teacher he possesses the faculty of making
his work intensely interesting and attractive, and he
has among his classes every year a large number of
teachers and professional musicians, as well as many
young composers.

The American Composers' Program at the Illinois
Music Teachers' Convention at Peoria, June, 1 906,
brought out a new production of Mr. Cole's, and
The Musical Leader and Concertgoer had the fol-
lowing notice:

A production which proved of engrossing interest was the melo-
drama, "King Robert of Sicily" (Longfellow), with music by
Rossetter G. Cole, who was at the piano, Herman L. Walker being
the reader. The work is written on intensely modern lines, but with
the true musical spirit, so often lacking in modern writers. Well
defined motives, which illustrate well the context of the story, yet
the music never dominates, but rather forms a setting for the poem.
It is what it purports to be, an accompaniment, but so elaborated
that justice to it can only be done by a good pianist. Needless to
state that Mr. Cole played an accompaniment in which refinement,
beauty of tone and power were exquisitely combined.

12

RELIABILITY OF METHOD.

To have a successful school from an artistic stand-
point it is necessary to have a high standard of in-
struction. Such is the case in the Walter Spry Piano
School; for the principles of piano-playing as taught
by Professor Leschetizky form the basis of the method
found here. The great advantage of this to pupils
who desire to carry their studies beyond the inter-
mediate grade will be appreciated; for in place of
changing their method as they are promoted from
one grade to the next higher, they experience no
retard, but progress from the first to the highest grade
as though with one teacher. There is thus an econ-
omy of time and expense.

\i

MUSIC-STUDY CLASS.

This class is held every two weeks on Saturday
mornings, and alternates with the history class. The
music-study class is under the direction of Mr.
Spry, and is designed to broaden the musical taste of
the students, to give them an opportunity to play
before each other, thereby gaining confidence and
paving the way for public appearance. Mr. Spry
criticises the pupils, and by apt illustrations, as well as
by personal interpretation and analyses of works, makes
these classes extremely interesting.

-a, . For the benefit of children of North Shore

larattrlf

residents, Miss Dana will receive pupils

two days a week at her residence, 1311 Lawrence
Ave. (two blocks north of the Wilson Avenue Ele-
vated Station).

Those who are graduated from the school

tttPltt will receive diplomas. Teachers' certif-

(Enttrrrt • -n i u • j

icates will also be issued.

COURSE OF STUDY.

Piano.
Preparatory.

The course of study in its elementary stages will
be similar to that followed in the Faelten Pianoforte
School, of Boston. Absolute beginners will be in-
structed according to the Faelten System exclusively.
Pupils taking up this system, who have already re-
ceived musical instruction, will take up pieces and
studies of the same grade where they left off, and
will not have "to begin all over again."

The advantages of the Faelten System are in the
way in which the method of pianoforte instruction is
approached. The leading tenet of the System is
that "All execution must rest on understanding."
Eye, ear, brain and fingers are all trained in a sys-
tematic manner. Familiarity with the keyboard, knowledge
of rhythm, note values, the staff, musical notation, etc.,
are all acquired separately, thus making it much easier

for the pupil to grasp.

15

The ear is trained to recognize rhythms, major and
minor modes, tonality, key relation, etc.

The musical memory is developed right from the
beginning.

By the end of the first year the average pupil is
able to play little pieces from memory in all keys,
knows all major and minor scales and can read inde-
pendently from the staff.

The results from this system speak for themselves.

We would advise and request parents and guar-
dians to be present in the class room during lessons,
so that they may see how the home work is to be
prepared.

In regard to tuition we would advise beginners,
one hour lesson a week, or two 30 minute lessons.
Pupils having already studied should have one half
hour lesson a week in repertory study, and one hour
in general training in the Faelten System.

Intermediate.

The following studies and pieces are given only

as representative of the material used .•
16

Loeschhorn, op. 65 and 66. Hugo Rhein-

tof \*

hold, Souvenirs of Childhood. Wieck,
Studies. Krause, Trill Studies. Arthur Foote, Studies.
Heller, op. 47 and Studies for Phrasing. Hanon,
The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises. Kunz, 200
Short Two-part Canons. Czerny, Dexterity of the
Fingers.

Sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, easier pieces
of Bach and compositions by Schubert,
Mendelssohn, Jensen, Grieg, Rubinstein, Moszkow-
ski and others.

Kohler's Technical Studies for the Vir-
tuoso, Technical Pianoforte School by
Carl Eschmann-Dumur, Technical Exercises by
Raphael Joseffy, Preludes and Fugues by Bach.
Etudes by Cramer, Chopin, Liszt and Henselt. Com-
positions and concertos by the most important compos-
ers of the classical and modern schools.

Harmony.

The work in harmony is conducted with this object
constantly in view: to develop in the student the capacity

to think music; that is, to understand and recognize melody,

17

harmony and rhythm as conscious and definite elements
of his thought. To attain this object, melody is taken as
the starting-point, and the student is taught from
the very first to create his own melodies and to de-
velop, through the medium of melody, a feeling for
the characteristic quality of each harmony,

Thus, instead of learning first the formal and dry
rules for writing and writing by rule, he is made
acquainted with music as a real and thinkable some-
thing. This process of making music an audible fact
in the student's thought rather than a merely visual
fact — of hearing music before writing it — is carried
on through every step in harmony, 'counterpoint and
composition.

Pupils will be enrolled as members of the
school for not less than one term. The
tuition is payable strictly in advance.

Lessons which fall on public holidays or lessons
missed on account of illness will be made up, if suffi-
cient notice is given to the teacher.

Promptness at the lessons is absolutely required.
It is in fact requested that the student be from five
tc ten minutes earlier than the stated time for the lesson.

18

Address all communications concerning the school
to the Director, Walter Spry, Fine Arts Building,

Chicago.

Arrangements have been made with an
^nar^ excellent housekeeper to board pupils of

the school at a reasonable rate. Students coming
from out of town may feel safe, and rely on having
nutritious food and a comfortable home. The loca-
tion of the house is easily accessible from the down-
town district, and therefore convenient to reach from
the School.

19

TERMS OF TUITION.

Piano.
WALTER SPRY.

TERM OF TEN WEEKS PRIVATE LESSONS.

Hour lessons, one lesson per week $50.00

Half-hour lessons, two lessons per week .... 50.00
Half-hour lessons, one lesson per week. . . . 25.00

HAROLD HENRY.

TERM OF TEN WEEKS PRIVATE LESSONS.

Hour lessons, one lesson per week $30.00

Half-hour lessons, two lessons per week .... 30.00
Half-hour lessons, one lesson per week 1 7.50

MARIAN DANA.

TERM OF TEN WEEKS PRIVATE LESSONS.

Hour lessons, one lesson per week $25.00

Half-hour lessons, two lessons per week. . . . 25. OQ
Half-hour lessons, one lesson per week. . . . 15.00

WILMOT LEMONT.

TERM OF TEN WEEKS - PRIVATE LESSONS.

Hour lessons, one lesson per week $20.00

Half-hour lessons, two lessons per week 20.00

Half-hour lessons, one lesson per week 12.50

20

Private and Class Lessons.
One half-hour private lesson and one hour

class lesson per week $1 7.50

Hour class lessons, two a week 15.00

Harmony, Counterpoint and Composition.

ROSSETTER G. COLE.

TERM OF TEN WEEKS.
Classes — Six pupils in each class.

Hour lessons, two lessons per week $15.00

Private Lessons.

Hour lessons, one lesson per week $50.00

Half-hour lessons, two lessons per week. . . . 50.00

MUSIC-STUDY CLASS.

Mr. Spry will hold this class on Saturday morn-
ings alternating with the History Class. The tuition
per term is $2.50.

HISTORY CLASS.

HISTORY OF MUSIC.

It is the aim of this course to give the student a

comprehensive view of the historical development of

modern music as an art and a literature. Its various

epochs will be studied and their influences analyzed.

21

The lives of the composers will be considered as they
illustrate or influence certain tendencies in the art.
The work will include lectures and recitations.

Mr. Cole will hold this class on Saturday morn-
ings alternating with the Music-Study Class. It will
be free to the pupils of the school, who receive cred-
its at the examination according to their excellence.

Jirrr Professional students or those entering the

Anuatt-

Teachers' Certificate and Graduating

Classes will be admitted free of charge to the Music-
Study and History Classes. The ripe experience and
eminent qualities of the teachers who put forth their
best efforts in these classes will be appreciated by
serious students.

CONCERT BUREAU.

The school is able to furnish artists from its piano
faculty for concerts, recitals and private musicales.
Also in association with members of the Theodore
Thomas Orchestra arrangements have been made, so
that any combination of stringed and wind instru-

ments with the piano may be obtained. For dates

22

and other information apply to the secretary of the
school.

PROGRAMS.

^Recital of Miss Alice McClung.
Concerto in G minor ............. Mendelssohn

Ballade in A flat .................... Chopin

A la bien Aime'e ..................... Schueti

Scottish Legende .................... Bsach

Polonaise .................... Rubinstein

Valse from Gounod's Faust .............. Ltezi

*This recital was one of four given during the
season by Mr. Spry's artist-pupils.

ANNUAL JUNE RECITAL.
Given by Members of Miss Dana's Class.

PART I.
Cradle Song ................... Frances Terry

Virginia Patton.
Hide and Seek .............. • .Schytie

Beatrice Bixbee.
Eo-Peep's Slumber Song ................ Lynes

John Rollo.

The Race 1
Skating . \

Susan Wilbur.

23

Tin Soldier March Hackh

Fred Patton.

Gondellied Haberbier

Dorothy Palmer.

Presto Mendelssohn

Eleanor Spry.

Sonata, Op. 13 Beethoven

First Movement.

Jane Rollo.

PART II.

The Village Blacksmith Biedermann

John Rollo and Fred Patton.

Arabian Fortune Teller Seeboecfy

Fred Patton.

Lullaby Nevin

Beatrice Bixbee.

Ding Dong Bell Biedermann

John Rollo.

Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 Schumann

From Foreign Lands.

Funny Story.

Dreaming.

On the Rocking Horse.

Eleanor Spry.
24

The Jester's Wooing Renard

Virginia Patton.
At Twilight Schylle

Susan Wilbur.

Waltz — C Sharp Minor Chopin

Jane Rollo.
Funeral March of a Marionette Gounod

Dorothy Palmer

25

CALENDAR.

There are four terms of ten weeks each in the
regular school year.

First Term — Monday, September 10, 1906, to
Saturday, November 19, 1906.

Second Term — Monday, November 19, 1906, to
Saturday, February 2, 1907.

Third Term — Monday, February 4, 1907, to
Saturday, April 20, 1907.

Fourth Term— Monday, April 22, 1907, to Sat-
urday, June 29, 1907.

There are two weeks of vacation, one between
Christmas and New Year and one at Easter time.

Personal interview may be had with the Director
daily at noon from 12 to 12:30, and on the after-
noons of Tuesday and Friday by appointment. Ar-
rangements for lessons may be made at any time with
the Secretary.

Mason and Hamlin Pianos
used exclusively at the

WALTER SPRY PIANO SCHOOL

and by Mr. Spry in his
concerts and recitals

27

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA